ECONOMY｜CULTURE
Why Christmas Eve Is the Worst Day for Singles in Japan
Depressing J-POP Christmas songs symbolize Japan’s sluggish economy
Have you ever heard of the Japanese slang クリぼっち(kuri-bocchi)? It’s a portmanteau of クリスマス (kurisumasu, Christmas) and 一人ぼっち (hitori-bocchi, alone), which became common to describe spending Christmas alone in the 2010s.
Ever since social media started revealing people’s best moments in their lives, there have been those who openly lament their lonely Christmas on the other end of the spectrum. In particular, spending Christmas with one’s romantic partner is a typical practice in Japan over the past decades. That’s why someone’s grumbling appears on your Twitter timeline if you follow Japanese accounts:
クリぼっち確定つらい It’s tough to confirm that I'll be alone for Christmas.
But wait, what has made Christmas in Japan unbearable for those who are not in their relationships?
Bubble Economy and J-POP Set the Tone
Japan is not a Christian country but influenced by movies and music from the West, celebrates Christmas in a uniquely Japanese fashion. Rather than a religious holiday, it’s a night for lovers.
The beginning of Christmas in Japan is said to have been when Christian missionaries from Spain held a mass in 1552, but the Christmas culture uniquely grew with the strong economy during the ‘Japan as number one’ era in the 1980s[1].
J-POP legend Tatsurō Yamashita released the iconic song Christmas Eve in 1983, and JR Tōkai started running TV commercials with this jingle in 1988. This advertisement was a huge success, vividly depicting young couples in a long-distance relationship reuniting at the platform on Christmas[2].
JR Tōkai used to call shinkansen X’mas Express during the holiday season to nudge people to jump on the bullet train to see their loved ones, and it contributed a lot to boosting romantic mood in December for the past years.
Inspired by these trends, young couples splurged in the 1980s and 1990s. During the bubble years, no expense was spared for showing your affection on Christmas. The holiday was so important, some single men made reservations early in the year before even deciding who they wanted to join them when Dec. 25 rolled around.
I still remember the image of Christmas tree-shaped illumination in the windows of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka in Tokyo, which was aired on TV almost every year in my childhood. But born as a millennial, I never experienced this kind of extravagant night as an adult.
The bubble burst mercilessly, and the iconic hotel had to be torn down in 2012 due to the aging facilities. Now this district has been reborn as Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho as a far more realistic business neighborhood.
Tiffany Once Issued Sold-Out Certificate—and Now It Needs Rebranding
Tiffany & Co. was one of the most noteworthy companies that benefitted from this booming economy in the 80s and 90s. Its heart-shaped necklaces were so popular that men lined up to buy them before Christmas, or they received pieces of ‘sold-out certificate’ as an excuse to buy substitute gifts for their girlfriends [3].
Tiffany celebrates its 50 years in Japan this year, but its sales have been facing sporadic declines over the past few years despite the strong growth in China[4]. Now Tiffany is eager to rejuvenate its image by appointing the young boy band Snow Man as its brand ambassador.
Depressing Christmas Songs Match the Japanese Economy
Going back to the main topic, it is undeniable that Tatsurō Yamashita still plays a significant role when it comes to Christmas customs in Japan. Even after the bubble economy collapsed, so many musicians from hip-hop artists to traditional enka singers covered Christmas Eve over and over.
You may want to call it the Japanese version of Wham!, but this song is way more modest. Wham! gave the girl his heart, but Tatsurō didn’t in this song. The protagonist struggles with unrequited love not having a chance to confess his feelings.
雨は夜更け過ぎに雪へと変わるだろう The rain will be turning to snow after midnight
きっと君は来ないひとりきりのクリスマス・イブ I know you’re not coming—just me alone on Christmas eve
He’s obviously introverted, still dwelling on the lonely Christmas night. Coincidentally, the lyrics interestingly fit today’s Japanese economy. Japan’s GDP growth was only a 1.6% recovery in 2021 after a plunge in 2020, while the US and China grew 5.7% and 8.1% [5].
How Can We Survive This Holiday Season Alone?
Still, this is a country of hospitality. There are many rescue plans for solo Christmas survivors. For instance, the fast-food chain Lotteria offers ‘クリぼっちキンパック (kuri-bocchikin pakku)’, which is exclusively arranged for singles to enjoy crispy fried chicken and fries that are just the right amount for one person.
Uber Eats and Pizza chains are also a few clicks away for everyone. A delivery person dressed in a red costume will bring you pizza hot and fresh out of the oven. No more waiting in line for KFC!
Almost three years into the pandemic, people’s working style has been shifting with technology. Remote work will ease the social pressure of solo Christmas, and Amazon can be our Santa Claus.
J-POP songs ringing at stores are melancholic for sure, but that’s Japanese Christmas better or worse. Savoring solitude enables us to cherish our loved ones better. Or rather, in this extremely aging society, older generations appreciate them reminiscing about their romantic memories.
Sources: [1] 江戸時代、ひっそりクリスマスを祝っていた場所とは？ Edomono Style [2] ｢クリスマスは恋人と｣っていつ決まった!? Toyo Keizai [3] ティファニーがオープンハートの「売り切れ証明書」を出した理由 Gendai Business [4] Tiffany & Co. Holiday Sales Plunge In Japan, But Grow In China Despite Unrest In Hong Kong Forbs [5] GDP growth (annual %) — Japan The World Bank
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